Psychology of Adolescence
Summer 2004
Dr. Fred Medway,
Professor of Psychology
Barnwell Hall Room
533
Phone: 777-2938
Email: Fmedway@gwm.sc.edu
Class meetings: M-Th: 10:30 to 12:45 pm
Room: BA 584.
Office hours: Wednesdays
from 4pm to 5pm
Course overview:
This is a survey
class of adolescent development intended primarily for junior and senior
undergraduates and graduate students.
Students must have taken an introductory psychology course and should
have had a prior course in child development or related area. The four weeks will be devoted to lectures
and discussions. The last week will be
devoted to student presentations as described later in the syllabus.
Text:
The major reading
assignments are from:
Santrock, J. W. Adolescence (9th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.
Introduction and
nature of adolescent development (Chapter 1)
Science of
adolescent development (Chapter 2, pages 40-57)
Puberty, health, and
biological foundations (Chapter 3)
Cognitive
development (Chapter 4)
Families (Chapter 5)
Peers (Chapter 6)
June 14, 15, 16,
and 17
Schools (Chapter 7)
The Self and
Identity (Chapter 9)
Sexuality (Chapter
11)
Moral development,
values, and religion (Chapter 12, pages 379-396)
Achievement,
careers, and work (Chapter 13, pages 420-433)
Adolescent Problems
(Chapter 14)
Presentations
Grading
There will be a
total of three exams including the
final exam. The final is not cumulative
but only based on the readings since the third exam. Each exam will include 20 multiple-choice questions (typically
four options) and three essay type questions (together these will add up to
five additional points). Thus, you get
obtain up to 75 course points on the exam.
You also will be
required to do a class presentation
on a topic of your choice from either chapter 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, or 14. The presentation should last about 30-40
minutes. Presentations must include an
annotated bibliography and handouts for all class members. You will receive 20 additional points for
the presentation.
The presentations
are scheduled for the final week of class: June 28/29.
You can earn an
additional 10 points for attendance and
participation. These can be used
to increase your grade because the final grades will be based on a total of 100
points. I will take attendance randomly
six times. If you are present for all
six (and participate) you get 10 points, 5/6 = 7 points, 4/6 = 4 points, 3/6 =
2 points. 2, 1, or 0/6 = 0 points. You
must be seated by 10:50 to get attendance points.
Exam Schedule
Exam 1 June 10
(chapter 1, 2, 3, and 4)
Exam 2 July 21
(chapter 5, 6, 7 and 9)
Exam 3 (final)
July 1 (chapters 11, 12, 13, and 14)
Make-up exams and other
While I expect that
you will be in class on exam day I understand that illness and other serious
events do occur. If you are ill (and
have some documentation) or have proof of some other serious event you can take
a make-up during my office hours on the Wednesday following the exam. If the hours conflict with your classes we
will arrange an alternate time. Please
let me know, preferably via email, by noon of exam day that you will be missing
the examination.
Please always feel
free to participate in class and ask questions. The small class size will allow for much discussion. Remember to turn off cell phones when you come
to class, and let me know when you have to leave early.
Anyone taking the
course for graduate credit must also read chapters 8 and 10, and submit a term
paper (due July 1) on one of the topics in these chapters.